{"argument_date":"2014-12-08T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2014-12-08T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2014","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Gannon argued the lower court misread the statute. He stated the law does not delegate regulatory authority to a private entity. He rejected the claim that Amtrak acts as a government regulator.","Mr. Dupree argued the Constitution forbids this structure. He stated Congress cannot create a corporation and give it regulatory power. He argued this violates the separation of powers.","questions_asked_by_justices"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 10-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 10-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 10-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 52-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 52-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 34-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 34-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 14-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 14-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 44-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 44-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 26-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 26-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 34-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 34-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 52-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 52-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 18-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 18-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 6-14"}]}],"caption":"Department of Transportation v. Association of American Railroads","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:23.531742Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Railroads challenge a law that lets Amtrak set safety rules for private carriers.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 52-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 52-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2014-12-08T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2014","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/13-1080.html","primary_docket":"13-1080","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T20:06:46.043714Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The dispute centers on whether Amtrak acts as a government regulator. The railroads argue this violates the Constitution. The government argues Amtrak is a private entity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 52-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 52-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 8, 2014."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The railroads want the law struck down as unconstitutional.","The government wants the law upheld as valid."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 52-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 52-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The railroads argue Congress cannot create a corporation and give it regulatory power over competitors.","The government argues the statute does not delegate regulatory authority to a private entity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 52-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 52-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if meeting standards stops an agency from initiating a review.","Chief Justice Roberts asked if calling Amtrak governmental solves the legal issue."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 10-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 10-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 10-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 34-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 34-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 14-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 14-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 44-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 44-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 26-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 26-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 34-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 34-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 52-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 52-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 18-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 18-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 6-14"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the limits of corporate regulatory power. It determines whether government-created entities can police private markets. The outcome shapes the balance between public mandates and private competition."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 52-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 52-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 10-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 10-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 10-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 34-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 34-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 14-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 14-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 44-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 44-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 26-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 26-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 34-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 34-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 52-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 52-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 18-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 18-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 6-14"}]}],"slug":"2014-13-1080-department-of-transportation-v-association-of-american-railroads","term":"2014","title":"Can a government-created corporation regulate private competitors?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 52-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 52-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-1080_b81f.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}